NFL Mock Draft 2011: Washington Redskins' Draft 3.0

Mitchell Layton/Getty ImagesThe three-headed monster above has the tall task of rebuilding an NFL franchise. Will they do it the right way?

5.5K

Reads

57

Comments

Despite the fractured relationship between the NFL owners and the (now de-certified) NFL Players Association, one thing is for certain—there will be a draft on April 28-30, 2011.

It is still unknown whether or not there will actually be a season come September, but coaches and general managers, although unable to talk to any of their current players, are still tasked with scouting and grading new ones.

I've said it many times and it's been said by many others—the Washington Redskins have a ton of needs. There are needs on every side of the football and there is a definitive lack of depth at nearly every position.

These needs for talent and depth can not and will not be satisfied with one draft. It will take multiple drafts and numerous successful free agent signings to put this franchise in legitimate Super Bowl contention.

Signing free agent safety O.J. Atogwe was a step in the right direction. There was a need at free safety and Mike Shanahan and co. addressed this need with a solid player at a decent price.

The Redskins can continue this movement in the right direction by drafting responsibly and by improving the entire roster one step at a time. There is no quick fix.

As I stated in my very first article on Bleacher Report, the Washington Redskins are rebuilding, and it's about time they started acting like it.

I had hoped they would be able to possibly trade Donovan McNabb and Albert Haynesworth for some additional picks, but without a new CBA, teams can only trade picks, not players.

This is my third go at a mock draft for the Redskins. My first mock was based strictly on need. My second mock was a post-NFL combine edition and this third one will take into account all of the latest and greatest Pro Day buzz and other draft-related hoopla.

First Round, Pick....18?

Eliot J. Schechter/Getty ImagesMike Pouncey, like his brother Maurkice, will anchor the interior offensive line for a decade.

In the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft, the Redskins will do what they did in 2008, only this time with (hopefully) more success—trade down.

You'll recall in 2008, the Redskins traded their 21st overall pick and a third and fifth rounder to the Atlanta Falcons for their two second rounders and a fourth. With those two second round picks, the Redskins selected wide receivers Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly.

Thomas has since been cut (by two teams) and is a backup to the backup for the New York Giants, and Malcolm Kelly hasn't been able to see the field due to chronic knee issues.

Let's hope the Redskins will make better decisions this time.

The San Diego Chargers will come calling for the 10th overall pick to either draft A.J. Green or Julio Jones to fill the void that will be left by Vincent Jackson inevitably moving on or draft a 3-4 pass rusher in Robert Quinn, Aldon Smith or Akeem Ayers.

In exchange, the Redskins will receive the 18th overall pick, one of San Diego's second rounders (50 overall) and a third rounder (82 overall). The Redskins will also send their fifth (141 overall) and sixth rounders (172 overall) to San Diego in the deal.

With the 18th overall pick, the Redskins will select C/G Mike Pouncey out of the University of Florida.

You might be thinking that this is a bit high for an interior lineman, but just ask the Pittsburgh Steelers how important their Pouncey was to their success.

Seventh Round, Pick 213 (From Colts: Justin Tryon Trade)

I still like Kilgore here. He's an athletic, mid-sized offensive guard who can do well in Mike Shanahan's zone blocking scheme. He's definitely not a flashy player, but he'll provide some good depth to the offensive line.

Kilgore has remained at this pick for all three of my mocks. For more about him, check out my previous mock.

Conclusion

Larry French/Getty ImagesGraham Gano was the worst kicker in football in 2010. Should he be replaced?

In Summary:

First Round, 18 overall: Mike Pouncey, G/C, Florida

Second Round, 41 overall: Phil Taylor, NT, Baylor

Second Round, 50 overall: Andy Dalton, QB, Texas Christian

Third Round, 82 overall: Greg Little, WR, North Carolina

Fifth Round, 152 overall: Ricky Elmore, DE/LB, Arizona

Seventh Round, 202 overall: Dion Lewis, RB, Pittsburgh

Seventh Round, 213 overall: Daniel Kilgore, G/C, Appalachian St.

As you can see, by trading down in the first round, the Redskins didn't really acquire "more" picks as most fans would like. What they did, however, is acquire more picks in the first three rounds.

Is a first (18 overall), a second and a third a bit much to move up for a first (10 overall), a fifth and a sixth? Maybe, but you never know. If the Chargers want that player (Julio Jones, Robert Quinn) bad enough, they'll move up in a hurry.

As I said, it's hard to address all of their needs with one draft. One glaring need that wasn't addressed, as you can probably guess by the picture I've chosen for this slide, is kicker. Graham Gano is terrible.

I originally had them drafting Alex Henery out of Nebraska, but they had bigger needs at that spot.